Janet Jackson: ‘I smile through the bad times’

Don’t be fooled by Janet Jackson’s happy face — she often smiles to fight off tears.

The R&B star regularly appears to be smiling during difficult interviews, but she admits she’s quietly sobbing inside.

And she’s apologizing to fans ahead of her big TV interview with Robin Roberts, which will air on Wednesday night, just in case they think she’s not taking brother Michael’s June death seriously enough.

She says, “She touched upon certain issues. It got a little tough at times … (and) when things get tough I tend to smile.

“It’s not a great habit because you’re talking about a serious topic — and I’m smiling. But maybe that’s my little law.”

The TV chat with Roberts is Jackson’s first since her brother’s death.